Attendance, taxpayer funding of development charges, parking etc

By Meade Helman AWARE BWG February 26 2013 

A number of interesting issues came up at the last council meeting:

 1.      Attendance: Once again Councillor Del Crake didn’t attend, he is still vacationing I was told when I asked. He hasn’t made council since before Christmas.

2.      Councillor Carl Hordyk asked that the program to give businesses that are expanding a grant to pay their Development Charges be moved from the Committee of the Whole to the Council meeting so it could be passed without further discussion. He said that there was a “buzz” in the business community and they were excited about this program. He also said that there were a number of businesses ready to expand when this was approved. Only two members of the business community were present at that point in the proceedings. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Since we are short on money already, and borrowing heavily, where is this money going to come from? Or will it be like Hamilton where industrial development was paid for by homeowners.

3.      The town has proposed new development charges to pay the $350 mil to provide services to the “Employment Lands” and new development in Bond Head. A representative from the developers politely but firmly said they weren’t  paying for these in a upfront agreement. A large number of folks, apparently from the developers, were present for this and left immediately after the deputation.

4.      The town clerk announced a new format for council meetings that would have the Committee of the Whole items presented sooner in the meeting so more folks could hear the discussion. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Since Mayor White proposed reducing the council meetings from three to two, most folks find it hard to sit through the lengthy meetings and sometimes miss important discussions.

5.       Council agreed to ask South Simcoe police to increase parking enforcement in school zones. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Last year we hired an enforcement officer for parking issue. What happened to him?   

6.       I encourage all to attend council to take advantage of public forum and let the council know what you think.